250 Words: Anaheim I

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That’s two in a row at Anaheim I for Jake Weimer, who has become an unlikely star of the Lites and 250-class ranks. Now considered a clear favorite for the Monster Energy SX Lites West title, there was a time when most fans didn’t even know Weimer’s name, and definitely couldn’t pick him out of a lineup. His rise to fame has been steady rather than meteoric, more Ivan Tedesco than James Stewart. But yet, when a rider makes such steady improvements year after year, it makes you wonder where the limit is on his growth. In 2008, as a member of the Factory Connection Honda team, Jake won his first career supercross and came close to his first podium outdoors. In 2009, with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, he launched into the role of title contender indoors and national winner outside—not to mention a champion with Team USA at the Motocross of Nations. Now he wants to put the finishing touches on the titles he missed last year—starting with supercross—and he’s off to a great start. How much better can Weimer get? We’re finding out every weekend.

There will be competition, though, namely from a rider who took the opposite career path. Trey Canard was a star in his latter amateur years, and in 2008, when he and Weimer were teammates, he grabbed the attention by claiming the East Lites Title in his rookie season. But year two for Canard was not as good, and now he’s on the comeback trail. Where will the paths of Weimer and Canard meet? Probably right around the middle of the podium.